The Indiana Pacers guard violated the league’s anti-drug program.
Breaking news from the NBA today that Tyreke Evans of the Indiana Pacers has been dismissed from the NBA for violating the league’s anti-drug program.
Per NBA.com, Evans has been “dismissed and disqualified from the league”, and under the rules of the Anti-Drug Program, he’s eligible to apply for reinstatement in two years.
Evans, 29, averaged 10.2 ppg and 2.4 apg for the Pacers this season, and was due to become a free agent this offseason. But now any plans he was making will be derailed for at least two years.
After being selected by the Kings out of Memphis with the fourth pick in 2010, Evans went on to win Rookie of the Year. Over his ten year career, he’s played with the Kings, Pelicans and Grizzlies.
After being informed about the NBA’s ruling, the Pacers issued the following statement:
The Indiana Pacers were informed Friday by the NBA that Tyreke Evans has been dismissed from the league for a violation of the league’s anti-drug policy.
We take these matters seriously and will reach out to Tyreke to offer our support.
According to the NBA’s guidelines, players can be dismissed and disqualified from the league for testing positive for a drug of abuse or if he’s convicted or, or pleads guilt to the use, possession or distribution of a drug of abuse.
Other players who received similar punishments are O.J. Mayo, Chris Anderson, Roy Tarpley, Stanley Roberts and a few other players. Some were reinstated, but only through the approval of both the NBA and the NBPA, which is what Evans will need in order to play in the NBA again.
